12 OCI cricketers challenge BCCI passport rule as Bombay High Court questions citizenship choice

The Bombay High Court has questioned 12 young Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders challenging the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to make an Indian passport mandatory for participation in its domestic tournaments. During the latest hearing on October 17, 2026, the court asked why players keen to represent India would not consider applying for Indian citizenship.

The case has brought an important question into focus: should young cricketers holding OCI cards be allowed to compete in BCCI domestic tournaments, even if they do not hold Indian passports?

The players argue that they are seeking permission to compete at the domestic level, not an immediate right to represent India internationally. They believe access to recognised domestic competitions is essential to building their careers, recording competitive statistics and pursuing professional opportunities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, the BCCI maintains that Indian citizenship and an Indian passport are necessary for participation in tournaments conducted under its authority.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, has asked the parties to provide updates on citizenship applications filed by some of the players. The next hearing is scheduled for November 25, 2026.

Why 12 OCI cricketers have challenged the BCCI

The dispute centres on an eligibility rule that changed the opportunities available to young cricketers holding OCI or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status.

Before the restriction was introduced, OCI and PIO cardholders could register for and participate in domestic competitions organised by the BCCI and affiliated state cricket associations, subject to the applicable rules.

On December 18, 2023, the BCCI’s Apex Council decided to change the eligibility requirements for players holding passports issued by countries other than India. The board subsequently revised its eligibility rules in May 2024, making an Indian passport mandatory for participation in its domestic tournaments.

As a result, young cricketers holding foreign passports and OCI cards became ineligible to compete in BCCI-organised competitions under the revised framework.

The 12 players challenged the decision before the Bombay High Court in October 2025. They contend that the restriction prevents them from gaining the experience and statistical record needed to progress through India’s established cricket pathway.

Their legal challenge does not seek an immediate place in the Indian national team. Instead, they want an opportunity to compete in domestic cricket and demonstrate their abilities on the field.

Their lawyer, Kunal Cheema, assisted by advocate Datta Mane, told the court that participation in domestic tournaments could help the players establish the records required to pursue opportunities in professional competitions such as the IPL.

For young cricketers, the issue is significant because performances in recognised tournaments can influence selection, career progression and professional prospects.

What the Bombay High Court asked the players

During the hearing, the bench questioned why the players were insisting on participating in BCCI tournaments without acquiring Indian citizenship if representing India was their ultimate ambition.

The judges also highlighted the depth of cricketing talent available in the country, questioning whether India needed to make an exception when many domestic players were competing for limited opportunities.

The court raised comparisons with government employment and civil service examinations, asking whether OCI cardholders could claim similar opportunities despite not being Indian citizens.

The observations reflected the wider issue before the court: whether eligibility for competitions controlled by India’s cricket governing body should extend to OCI cardholders who do not possess Indian passports.

However, the court clarified that it was not compelling the players to change their citizenship. The suggestion to consider Indian citizenship came in response to their request for access to BCCI tournaments.

The distinction matters. The court’s observations are not the same as a final judgment resolving the legal challenge, and the broader dispute remains under consideration.

BCCI explains why Indian citizenship matters

Representing the BCCI, senior advocate Dr. Birendra Saraf argued that OCI cardholders cannot represent India internationally under the applicable citizenship framework.

He also maintained that the BCCI invests in identifying, training and developing players through its domestic cricket structure. Competitions such as the Ranji Trophy form part of the system through which promising cricketers can progress towards higher levels of the game.

According to the board’s position, the petitioners remain free to play cricket in school and college competitions, private academies and tournaments outside the BCCI’s jurisdiction.

The BCCI has also argued that participation in its competitions cannot automatically be claimed as a right to earn a livelihood through professional cricket.

Saraf told the court that the board would welcome the players if they became Indian citizens.

The argument highlights the difference between being able to live, study and pursue sporting interests in India and meeting the eligibility requirements for competitions organised by the country’s cricket governing body.

For the petitioners, however, access to those competitions is central to their ambitions. Without the opportunity to establish a recognised domestic record, they argue, advancing towards professional cricket becomes considerably more difficult.

The 12 OCI cricketers involved in the case

The young players challenging the BCCI’s eligibility rules are:

• Kavin Kartik
• Avik Dixit
• Ram Repala
• Ameyamanasa Reddy Pamulapati
• Ayaan Mohammed Ahmed
• Vedant Pathak
• Nirvetla Rishith Reddy
• Kothapally Kritin Reddy
• Kothapally Arnav Reddy
• Ritesh Sai Eswar
• Aryan Singh Sidhu
• Kudugunta Krithik Reddy

The case is particularly important for young athletes whose education, family circumstances and cricketing ambitions may be closely connected to India, even when their passports identify them as citizens of another country.

Their challenge also raises questions about how sporting eligibility rules should account for players who have strong personal and professional connections to India but do not hold Indian citizenship.

What happens next in the OCI cricket eligibility case?

The Central government has been brought into the proceedings so that its position on the citizenship and eligibility questions can be considered alongside the BCCI’s arguments.

The Centre had not filed its response at the latest hearing. The court has also asked the BCCI, the government and the petitioners to provide details about the status of citizenship applications submitted by affected OCI cardholders.

At the next hearing on November 25, the petitioners’ lawyer is expected to rely on international conventions concerning children’s rights and the ability to choose citizenship. The argument is that young players should not be forced to change their nationality simply to pursue their sporting ambitions.

The court will have to consider the competing arguments, including the BCCI’s eligibility framework, the legal position of OCI cardholders and the petitioners’ claims about their ability to develop professional cricket careers.

For now, the existing restriction remains in place, and the players have not secured permission to participate in BCCI domestic tournaments through this legal challenge.

The outcome could have implications beyond the 12 petitioners, particularly for other OCI cardholders hoping to pursue competitive cricket in India.

The central question is whether the current eligibility requirements should remain unchanged or whether the law permits a different approach for young players seeking access to domestic competitions.

The next hearing could provide greater clarity on the pending citizenship applications and the positions of the parties involved.

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